Magpies looking to build on European success against Red Devils
by Phil RoscoeVenue: Sports Direct Arena
Date: Sunday 7 October
Kick-off: 4pm
Fresh from their 3-0 Europa League win over Bordeaux, Newcastle United are back in action this weekend as they host Manchester United.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew made a number of changes against the French side, and there could be a return for midfield duo Jonas Gutierrez and Hatem Ben Arfa, and the Premier League's top scorer Demba Ba. All of which were rested on Thursday night.
Defensive pair Steven Taylor (calf) and Fabricio Coloccini (hamstring), and keeper Tim Krul (elbow) have all been ruled out. Goalkeeper Jak Alnick, 19, is expected to be named among the substitutes after Rob Elliot suffered a groin injury against Bordeaux.
Meanwhile, the visitors have defensive problems of their own. Nemanja Vidic (knee), Phil Jones (knee) and Chris Smailing (toe) are all absentees.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's match, Pardew said: "You can't imagine that it's going to be 0-0.
"I'm sure Alex would have worked on his back four, as we have, to make sure they're as drilled as possible.
"But such brilliant flair players on the pitch - Rooney, Hernandez, Van Persie, Demba Ba, Papiss [Cisse], Shola [Ameobi] for us, Ben Arfa.
"So you can't expect it to be anything other than an entertaining game, and I think it will be."
Watch Alan Pardew's full press conference below
Matchday live
